Lawmaker Says Iran Targeted Him in Phishing Attack Disguised as TV Interview

Rep. Randy Fine claims Iranian state actor tried to access his personal Gmail account through a fake Newsmax interview request.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:04pm

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Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., said an alleged Iranian state actor recently targeted him with a phishing scheme disguised as a television interview request from Newsmax, in what he described as an apparent effort to access his personal Google email account. Fine said U.S. Capitol Police informed him the outreach likely originated from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and that the FBI was investigating the matter.

Why it matters

This incident highlights heightened concerns among U.S. officials about potential cyber and physical threats tied to the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly against high-profile political figures. It also underscores the growing threat of state-sponsored hacking and disinformation campaigns targeting American lawmakers.

The details

According to Fine, his staffer began interacting with the message, which appeared to be from Newsmax, before realizing the links didn't work. Fine said the phishing scheme was designed to gain access to his personal Google account. The FBI confirmed an Iran-linked hacker group known as the "Handala Hack Team" had previously breached Director Kash Patel's personal email account.

  • The alleged cyberattack occurred 'literally the day after combat operations began' between the U.S. and Iran in February 2026.
  • In March 2026, the FBI said the compromised information from Director Kash Patel's email account was 'historical in nature' and contained no government data.

The players

Rep. Randy Fine

A Republican congressman from Florida known for his staunchly pro-Israel positions and advocacy for aggressive military action against Iran.

Kash Patel

The former director whose personal email account was breached by an Iran-linked hacker group known as the 'Handala Hack Team'.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard

The elite military force of Iran that U.S. Capitol Police believes was behind the phishing attack targeting Rep. Fine.

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What they’re saying

“A skilled impersonator created something appearing just like Newsmax to attempt to do an interview with me.”

— Rep. Randy Fine, Congressman

“I was clearly targeted. It wasn't random. The worst-case scenario is ... they might be able to track my actual location, which made me fear for my life.”

— Rep. Randy Fine, Congressman

What’s next

The FBI is continuing its investigation into the phishing attack targeting Rep. Fine, and the status of the probe remains publicly unknown.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns targeting American lawmakers, particularly those with high profiles and strong stances on foreign policy issues like the U.S.-Iran conflict.